Monday, 1 December 2008

The Future

I've decided this week to finally quit the Liberal Democrats. Other Parties should not get excited, I'm certainly not coming your way. I am leaving politics completely as I have had enough of waiting for the Party to get its internal house in order. Clearly this isn't going to happen any time soon and I have no further intention to waste my money and continue being party to ongoing unacceptable practices. Had I been the only one in an isolated case then I might have been able to grin and bear it but there is a systematic problem which is being deliberately ignored by the Party's current Federal Executive. I fail to understand why they failed to talk to those affected directly and make a genuinely informed view.

I can't imagine myself in any other Party but it is no secret that I have a pretty awful relationship with the surviving rump of the Shepway Liberal Democrats. So local political involvement is not really an option for me now and I intend to continue living in Folkestone which I consider to be my hometown. I would like to somehow find a way to make a positive contribution to the economic and social regeneration of the town which is dear to my heart and will continue to look for ways to achieve this in the future.

I would like to thank very much the Executive of the Bromley and Chislehurst Liberal Democrats who very kindly agreed to allow me to rejoin them after the miserable time I had to endure at the hands of certain elements in the Shepway Local Party in 2007. This decision is by no means a reflection on you. You guys were great to campaign with and I certainly miss the Red Lion Tendency. Lennard Woods was certainly a great loss and I miss him. May he rest in peace.

I also very much enjoyed campaigning with the gang up in Durham and particularly with Carol Woods who is a great friend and whom I am very sorry we didn't manage to get elected last time around. She will make a great MP for Durham City (and certainly better than the New Labour lackey who currently has "borrowed" the seat). I am thrilled that you all did so well up there in the last lot of local elections. Thanks for some great campaigning memories.

I have made so many friends in the Liberal Democrats over the years and you all know who you are. It is such a wrench to leave and it is sad that unfortunately a few bad apples have spoilt what was mostly a very enjoyable time for me.

I will make a more detailed statement about the reasons for my decision on my return to the UK for anyone who is remotely interested (probably not many). I'm currently still working away in Croatia at present and only have limited time for this for now and want to choose my words carefully.

I plan to resume blogging in 2009 on different issues which will include international enterprise development in which I have a strong interest, human rights, international relations and other similar issues of interest to me so watch this space.

I would like to thank all my readers, both domestic and international, who have taken the trouble to look at what I have written. Although my readership hasn't exactly been huge it has certainly been truly international. Thanks and bye for now.

Toby - despite sitting in an opposite political camp I have every sympathy for your point of view!

I think there must be something here in the water in Shepway!

I have been a dyed in the wool Tory since 1979 and involved with the party in London and other parts of the county, both as a council candidate, ward chairman and the like. It was only when coming to Shepway that I decided to not bother renewing my membership based upon the behavior and conduct of small but powerful minority clique they spoil it for the rest of us....they also put off younger professionals from getting involved in any type of civic/political service thus ensuring their re-selection as candidates as there are no other credible candidates. Sad really... but there is still plenty of fun to be had hacking around on the outskirts of politics, winding up the various factions and hopefully getting something good done whilst our elected officials are distracted by their clique infighting... ooh am I sounding all bitter and twisted now...!!!

About Me

A lifelong Liberal (now Independent Liberal) who lives in Folkestone (his hometown) and runs his own management and business development training organisation when he is not abroad delivering technical assistance and training to developing and transition countries.
He focuses his spare energies on fostering international enterprise development and other interests such as international human rights. He is currently developing a number of different blogs to reflect his diverse interests and for diverse audiences.
This is his "political" blog.